Pro bodybuilder Victor Martinez interviews World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall about his upcoming new documentary – Taming The Beast
The latest episode of the Generation Iron Podcast, hosted by IFBB pro bodybuilder Victor Martinez, features a powerful and revealing conversation with former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall. Known for his incredible feats of strength and larger-than-life personality, Hall steps into a more reflective space in this episode, discussing everything from missed opportunities in competition to the emotional toll of success.
At the center of the discussion is Hall’s upcoming documentary, Taming The Beast, which promises to show a deeper, more vulnerable side of the strongman legend.
You can watch the full episode of the Generation Iron Podcast above. Keep reading for an in-depth recap of Victor and Eddie’s conversation.
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The Arnold Strongman Title That Never Happened
Despite Eddie Hall’s historic win at the World’s Strongest Man competition, one title eluded him: the Arnold Strongman Classic. When asked why, Hall explains it wasn’t due to lack of ability but rather poor timing.
The Arnold competition consistently fell just two weeks after the UK’s Strongest Man event, which Hall prioritized throughout his career. For him, representing and winning on home soil always came first. As a result, the scheduling conflict meant the Arnold title was never realistically in reach.
Victor Martinez immediately relates. In bodybuilding, athletes often face similar decisions about which shows to prioritize. Competing too frequently can dilute performance, making it impossible to bring peak conditioning to every stage. Both men agree that sometimes greatness requires choosing your battles carefully, even if it means leaving certain achievements on the table.
Mental Health Behind the Muscle
One of the most impactful parts of the episode centers on Hall’s candid discussion of mental health, a major theme in Taming The Beast. Victor Martinez notes how striking it was to see Eddie Hall open up about anxiety and depression.
Hall reveals that these struggles began early in his life. Ironically, his rise in strongman acted as a form of therapy. For nearly a decade, the structure, discipline, and purpose of competition helped keep those issues at bay.
But when the competitions slowed down, the problems resurfaced.
Hall describes this period as one of the toughest transitions of his life. Without the constant drive toward a competitive goal, he had to find new ways to manage his mental health. His solution was simple in theory but difficult in practice: stay busy, set new goals, and keep moving forward.
This insight resonates beyond sports. It highlights how identity and purpose are often tied to what we pursue daily. When that disappears, even the strongest individuals can feel lost.
Managing Life at Full Speed
Victor Martinez also points out Eddie Hall’s seemingly nonstop schedule. Between raising a family, managing a massive social media presence, filming, and preparing for boxing matches, his time management must be exceptional.
Hall agrees, but he credits passion rather than discipline alone. He enjoys every part of his life, from making humorous videos to intense training sessions. That enjoyment makes the workload sustainable.
He also shares a key influence: Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Hall recalls working alongside Schwarzenegger and being struck by his relentless work ethic. Even in his late 70s, Schwarzenegger remains highly productive. For Hall, that example set a new standard for what it means to stay driven over a lifetime.
Inspired by a Legend
Eddie Hall’s admiration for Schwarzenegger goes back even further. Watching the classic bodybuilding documentary Pumping Iron as a young man left a lasting impression.
Seeing how Schwarzenegger’s physique commanded attention inspired Hall to pursue weightlifting in the first place. That spark eventually led him into strongman competition.
But beyond the physical inspiration, Hall also learned a strategic lesson. Schwarzenegger used his Mr. Olympia success as a springboard into acting and business. Hall adopted a similar mindset, viewing his World’s Strongest Man title not as an endpoint but as a gateway to new opportunities, including television, entrepreneurship, and boxing.
A New Level of Vulnerability in Taming The Beast
While Eddie Hall has always been open with fans, he believes this new documentary reaches a different level. The filmmaking process pushed him into emotional territory he hadn’t explored publicly before.
Through detailed interviews and even recreated scenes from his childhood, the film dives deeper into his personal struggles and motivations. Hall believes audiences will notice the difference immediately.
This isn’t just another sports documentary. It’s a closer look at the man behind the achievements, showing the emotional cost of becoming “the beast.”
The Pressure of Public Failure
Another topic that stands out is Eddie Hall’s perspective on failure in the public eye. For elite athletes, losing isn’t private. It’s broadcast, analyzed, and remembered.
Hall explains that once you reach a certain level of fame, every defeat becomes part of your identity in the eyes of the public. Walking down the street, he knows people recognize both his victories and his losses.
He also touches on the role of media, noting how negative moments are often amplified into clickbait. While he’s grown accustomed to it, the pressure never fully disappears. It’s a constant reminder of the vulnerability that comes with fame.
No Regrets, Only Lessons
When asked what advice he would give his younger self, Hall offers a grounded response. He doesn’t believe in regrets.
Every high and low shaped who he is today. Instead of changing anything, he would simply tell his younger self to stay the course and live fully in each moment.
It’s a mindset that reflects maturity and acceptance, especially coming from someone who has experienced both extreme success and personal struggle.
Why Another Documentary?
Eddie Hall previously had a documentary that followed his rise in strongman, but it ended before his story was truly complete.
Since then, his life has evolved dramatically. He achieved his ultimate goal of winning World’s Strongest Man, but that victory introduced new challenges, particularly with mental health.
He’s also expanded into new ventures, from business to boxing. Taming The Beast aims to capture this next chapter, showing both the rewards and the consequences of reaching the top.
According to Hall, the first documentary helped bring strongman into the mainstream. This new film goes further, exploring what happens after the spotlight hits.
Family, Fatherhood, and the Next Generation
The conversation shifts to family, where both Eddie Hall and Victor Martinez find common ground as fathers of large families.
Hall shares that his son, Maximus, has started showing interest in strength training. Importantly, this wasn’t something Hall pushed. The interest came naturally.
For Maximus, the gym has become more than just a hobby. It’s an outlet. Dealing with ADHD and challenges in school, weightlifting has helped him focus and channel his energy in a positive way.
Hall emphasizes that he won’t force a competitive path on his son. If Maximus chooses to pursue strongman, he’ll have full support. For now, it’s simply about passion and personal growth.
Boxing, New Challenges, and Future Fights
Eddie Hall also discusses his transition into boxing, including a high-profile matchup against Tommy Fury.
Originally, he had hoped for a rematch with Hafthor Bjornsson following their first bout. When that didn’t materialize, he shifted focus.
The opportunity to fight Fury presented a new challenge. While not initially on his radar, Hall embraced it as a chance to test himself against an experienced boxer.
His strategy is straightforward. He knows Fury has technical skill, but Hall believes his own power could end the fight with a single well-placed punch.
This time, he’s also entering the fight fully healthy, unlike his previous bout where a hand injury limited his performance.
The Physical Cost of Strength
Eddie Hall reflects on the physical toll of his strongman career. While he avoided major long-term injuries, maintaining the extreme body weight required for competition put significant stress on his body.
Now, he’s focused on longevity. He’s reduced his weight, prioritizes health, and incorporates recovery methods like IV supplementation.
Despite the strain of his past, Hall feels optimistic about his future. With a family history of long lifespans, he believes he’s in a good position moving forward.
The Truth About Achieving the Ultimate Goal
One of the most striking moments in the podcast comes when Hall discusses what it felt like to finally win World’s Strongest Man.
While the victory itself was incredible, the aftermath was unexpectedly difficult.
For years, his entire identity revolved around chasing that title. Once he achieved it, there was a sense of emptiness. The journey, not the destination, had been the most fulfilling part.
Hall even admits that part of him wishes the pursuit had lasted longer. The struggle, the buildup, and the anticipation gave his life direction. Without it, he had to redefine who he was.
It’s a powerful reminder that even the greatest achievements don’t always bring lasting satisfaction.
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Wrap Up
This episode of the Generation Iron Podcast offers more than just stories of strength and competition. It presents a nuanced look at success, identity, and resilience.
Through Taming The Beast, Eddie Hall invites audiences to see beyond the titles and records. He shows that behind every champion is a complex human being navigating challenges that don’t disappear with victory.
For fans of strongman, bodybuilding, or anyone interested in personal growth, this conversation delivers valuable insight. It’s honest, grounded, and, at times, surprisingly introspective.
In the end, Hall’s story isn’t just about becoming the strongest man in the world. It’s about what happens after you get there and how you find your way forward.
